Quantum Telescopes: feasibility and constrains

Quantum Telescope is a recent idea aimed at beating the diffraction limit of spaceborne telescopes and possibly also other distant target imaging systems. There is no agreement yet on the best setup of such devices, but some configurations have been already proposed. In this Letter we characterize the predicted performance of Quantum Telescopes and their possible limitations. Our extensive simulations confirm that the presented model of such instruments is feasible and the device can provide considerable gains in the angular resolution of imaging in the UV, optical and infrared bands. We argue that it is generally possible to construct and manufacture such instruments using the latest or soon to be available technology. We refer to the latest literature to discuss the feasibility of the proposed QT system design.Comment: Optics Letters - published after major revisio

Dusty Universe viewed by AKARI far infrared detector

We present the results of the analysis of multiwavelength Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) of far-infrared galaxies detected in the AKARI Deep Field-South (ADF--S) Survey. The analysis uses a carefully selected sample of 186 sources detected at the 90 $\mu$m AKARI band, identified as galaxies with cross-identification in public catalogues. For sources without known spectroscopic redshifts, we estimate photometric redshifts after a test of two independent methods: one based on using mainly the optical -- mid infrared range, and one based on the whole range of ultraviolet -- far infrared data. We observe a vast improvement in the estimation of photometric redshifts when far infrared data are included, compared with an approach based mainly on the optical -- mid infrared range. We discuss the physical properties of our far-infrared-selected sample. We conclude that this sample consists mostly of rich in dust and young stars nearby galaxies, and, furthermore, that almost 25% of these sources are (Ultra)Luminous Infrared Galaxies. Average SEDs normalized at 90 $\mu$m for normal galaxies (138 sources), LIRGs (30 sources), and ULIRGs (18 galaxies) a the significant shift in the peak wavelength of the dust emission, and an increasing ratio between their bolometric and dust luminosities which varies from 0.39 to 0.73.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, published in Earth, Planets and Spac

Determination of stress and strain concentrations in the elastic-plastic materials under bending and torsion

The analysis of stress and strain concentrations of constructional materials subjected to bending and torsion is presented. The known methods of stress determination for any elastic-plastic material assume the linear strain concentration under bending and torsion. Determination of stress and strain concentrations and their presentation as graphs were the main aims of this paper. Five materials were tested. They had different cyclic strain curves, and were loaded by the torsional and bending moments. The results proved a linear character of the strain distribution for any material in the all applied loading range.Визначено розклад напружень і деформацій в перетині проаналізованого елемента вальців та подано графічно за допомогою комп’ютерної моделі. Аналіз п’яти матеріалів та їх кривих циклічного деформування з різними характеристиками за умов кручення та згину показав лінійний характер розкладу деформацій для кожного з них за всіх прикладених навантажень.Определено распределение напряжений и деформаций в сечении проанализированного элемента валков и представлено графически с помощью компьютерной модели. Анализ пяти материалов и их кривых циклического деформирования с разными характеристиками при кручении и изгибе показал линейный характер распределения деформаций для каждого из них при всех приложенных нагрузках

Knowledge Transfer in Automatic Optimisation of Reconfigurable Designs

This paper presents a novel approach for automatic optimisation of reconfigurable design parameters based on knowledge transfer. The key idea is to make use of insights derived from optimising related designs to benefit future optimisations. We show how to use designs targeting one device to speed up optimisation of another device. The proposed approach is evaluated based on various applications including computational finance and seismic imaging. It is capable of achieving up to 35% reduction in optimisation time in producing designs with similar performance, compared to alternative optimisation methods

Fatigue cracking of aluminium alloy AlZn6Mg0.8Zr subjected to thermomechanical treatment

The paper presents the results of experimental test of the fatigue of aluminium alloy type AlZn6Mg0,8Zr exposed to various low temperature thermomechanical treatment. Basquin’s characteristics of fatigue have been determined in mechanical test on smooth specimens at a simple state of loading in conditions of alternating bending. The tests were carried out on a fatigue test stand constructed by the authors – MZGS 100. The development of fatigue cracking has been described based on metallographic and fractographic investigations of the fractured samples making use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of qualitative microfractography of the tested samples in the low-cycle temporal range of fatigue strength revealed fractures of the transcrystalline quasi-cleavage type. It has also been found that local effects of intercrystalline brittle cracking of this type do occur

Impact of European Integration on the Functioning of the Insurance Market in Poland

The transformation process, that has begun 20 years ago, generated significant changes in the structure and organization of Polish economy. It stimulated development of particular market's segments, especially of the insurance sector. Poland's accession to the European Union required conformity to Its regulations, fulfillment of several conditions connected with the membership in the European Community. The purpose of this article is to present the main consequences of Poland's integration with EU in the field of insurance market. Joining the common market was an important challenge for this sector in our country.Rok 1990 stanowił początek procesu transformacji systemu społeczno - gospodarczego i ustrojowego. Ostatnie 20 lat to okres intensywnych przemian o charakterze strukturalnym i organizacyjnym, w wyniku których ukształtowały się warunki rozwoju poszczególnych segmentów systemu finansowego państwa, zwłaszcza sektora ubezpieczeń. Przystąpienie Polski do Unii Europejskiej wymagało wprowadzenia szeregu zmian, dostosowujących polski porządek prawny do uregulowań wspólnotowych regulujących funkcjonowanie rynku ubezpieczeń. Celem artykułu jest zaprezentowanie szans i zagrożeń, jakie wynikają dla tego segmentu gospodarki z przystąpienia Polski do UE. Niewątpliwie proces integracji stanowił poważne wyzwanie dla polskiego rynku ubezpieczeń

Variation of selected cyclic properties depending on temperature of the test

Determination of fatigue life involves many factors, among them temperature in which the structure is working. Based on the literature data, the authors present the influence of temperature on cyclic properties of the selected materials. Further analysis proves that, in the case of alloyed steels, temperature affects some quantities characterizing fatigue parameters.Констатовано, що умови експлуатації елементів машин і пристроїв, які використовують в енергетиці, характеризуються змінами температури від кімнатної до дуже високої. Це призводить до істотної зміни механічних властивостей досліджуваних матеріалів. В результаті аналізу зміни вибраних циклічних властивостей залежно від температури встановлено основні закономірності для низьколегованих сталей і високолегованих чавунів.Констатировано, что условия эксплуатации элементов машин и устройств, которые используют в энергетике характеризуются изменениями температуры от комнатной до весьма высокой. Это приводит к существенному изменению механических свойств исследуемых материалов. В результате анализа изменения избранных циклических свойств в зависимости от температуры установлено основные закономерности для низколегированных сталей и высоколегированных чугунов

Estimation of fatigue life of selected construction materials under cyclic loading

In the literature, there are many criteria of multiaxial fatigue. They are based on various assumptions and parameters describing the process of fatigue. Among them, there is a special group of criteria based on the concept of critical plane. Some of them in their equations take into account the ratio of normal and shear stresses. Macha has formulated the criterion of maximum normal and shear stress in fracture plane which can be generalised for the scope of random loading of numerous criteria. In the present study authors estimated the fatigue life of several construction materials. For the purposes of the analysis, the authors proposed modified Carpinteri et al. method to find orientation of critical plane, which is used in multiaxial fatigue criterion defined in critical plane. This plane is turned through the angle of ? in relation to the plane defined by maximum normal stresses. In this study authors analyzed the variability calculation of fatigue life, depending on the angle ?. Simulation studies were conducted in which it was assumed that ? ? . For each of the 46 angles, we calculated parameters B and K appearing in the formula defining equivalent stress. Then we calculated fatigue life according to the proposed model for each of the obtained angles ?. Fatigue life analysis was carried out in order to verify which angle ? gives the most similar results

Uniting cosmological epochs through the twister solution in cosmology with non-minimal coupling

We investigate dynamics of a flat FRW cosmological model with a barotropic matter and a non-minimally coupled scalar field (both canonical and phantom). In our approach we do not assume any specific form of a potential function for the scalar field and we are looking for generic scenarios of evolution. We show that dynamics of universe can be reduced to a 3-dimensional dynamical system. We have found the set of fixed points and established their character. These critical points represent all important epochs in evolution of the universe : (a) a finite scale factor singularity, (b) an inflation (rapid-roll and slow-roll), (c) a radiation domination, (d) a matter domination and (e) a quintessence era. We have shown that the inflation, the radiation and matter domination epochs are transient ones and last for a finite amount of time. The existence of the radiation domination epoch is purely the effect of a non-minimal coupling constant. We show the existence of a twister type solution wandering between all these critical points.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figs; (v2.) 27 pages, 12 figs, JCAP in pres

Cosmological constraints combining H(z), CMB shift and SNIa observational data

Recently H(z) data obtained from differential ages of galaxies have been proposed as a new geometrical probe of dark energy. In this paper we use those data, combined with other background tests (CMB shift and SNIa data), to constrain a set of general relativistic dark energy models together with some other models motivated by extra dimensions. Our analysis rests mostly on Bayesian statistics, and we conclude that LCDM is at least substantially favoured, and that braneworld models are less favoured than general relativistic ones.Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures; improved discussion, new figures, updated to match published versio